New Delhi: The ongoing tension between Iran and America has now reached the sea routes. The attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has made the situation around the Red Sea more serious. There is news of a commercial ship being targeted near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Four crew members of the ship lost their lives in this attack. At the same time, two Yemeni rescue workers from the anti-Huthi group who arrived in the rescue operation were also killed. This incident is considered to be one of the most serious incidents related to Houthi attacks on sea vessels since the start of the Iran-US conflict.
Ship attack near Bab el-Mandeb
According to Yemen’s Transport Ministry, the Egyptian-owned small cargo ship ‘Tihama’ was targeted near Bab al-Mandeb. Houthi-backed media claim that their target was a ship belonging to Saudi Arabia, which was allegedly carrying military goods.
Bab al-Mandeb is one of the world’s most important sea routes. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and further to the Indian Ocean. Therefore, any kind of military activity here can have an impact on international shipping.
America also took action in the sea
Meanwhile, America also took action on the maritime front. According to the US military, a Panama-flagged cargo ship was allegedly breaking US sanctions imposed on Iranian ports. After this, the US Navy helicopter targeted the steering system of the ship. There is no information about any casualty in the incident.
Iran’s tough stance regarding Hormuz Strait
On the other hand, Iran has toughened its stance regarding the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei, unless the US accepts Iran’s demands, there is no possibility of opening this strategic sea route for shipping. Iran wants the US to change its stance and agree to its other conditions, including the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad.
The Strait of Hormuz is very important for global oil supply. Due to its closure, pressure on maritime trade, oil supply and international energy market may increase further. Amidst the Iran-America tension, the maritime front also seems to be becoming a major center of conflict.